SIMON MUNTEMBA writes
@SunZambian
GOVERNMENT through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) has released 1,500 metric tonnes of relief food to Southern Province.
The distribution of relief food has commenced with DMMU national coordinator, Chanda Kabwe handing of bags of mealie meal in Pemba district.
This is contained in a statement released to the Sun by DMMU communications officer Rachel Mupanga.
Mr Kabwe, who is in Southern province to hand over the relief food, said a total of 1,500 metric tonnes of maize has been released for all the thirteen districts in the region.
Mr Chanda said Southern province was the first target because it was the most affected by the dry spells which led to the wilting of the maize crop.
“A total of 1,500 metric tonnes of maize has been released for all the thirteen (13) districts in the province. Each district will receive 6,400 by 12.5Kg bags of mealie meal,” Mr Kabwe said.
Mr Kabwe said the move by government to process the maize into mealie meal was meant to cushion the cost burden on the beneficiaries.
He said it was also to ensure accountability and that the vulnerable receive their support.
The DMMU national coordinator explained the mealie meal bags were branded to avoid them being sold on the market.
He said the maize bran from the mealie meal will also be used as supplement for livestock.
Mr Chanda reiterated that the relief distribution exercise was continuous and every affected district will receive 100 metric tonnes of maize, processed into mealie meal every month until the hunger situation improves.
He further assured the nation that the FOOD Reserve Agency (FRA) has enough maize and that no affected household will die of hunger and that no one will be left behind regardless of political affiliation or tribe.
Hunger and other disasters cut across politics and tribe, he said, hence the need for concerted efforts in mitigating disasters.
He further said that DMMU has dispatched teams in the nine provinces which were affected by dry spells and flash floods, to conduct the Vulnerability and Needs Assessment.
“The assessment is meant to ascertain the actual number of people and households affected by the season. This will enable the Unit to devise an effective response mechanism to mitigate the effects of the season,” he said.
And in receiving the mealie meal, Pemba District Commissioner, Reginald Mugoba thanked government for the gesture, saying the relief will go a long way in mitigating the hunger situation in the district.
